Bookshelves are always a popular subject with our readers. I’m willing to place a bet on Henry V that at least 90 percent of you have built bookshelves, and that at least half of you made it your first furniture project. ).
A set of pine shelves that were held together by L-brackets was the first thing I ever made. I did give away another set when I built my Bibliophiles bookcase in December 2009. However, I still have that set. Yeah, I should make another nice bookcase , something that doesnt embarrass me as a woodworker , but I dont really want to get rid of my first project, despite its unlovely appearance. Or maybe Im simply lazy.
But I think Ive stumbled upon the perfect bookshelves. I have a multitude of tomes , but not nearly enough to fill this thing. It would hold every book Ive ever owned, much less those I now have.
This bookcase apartment is an installation piece titled Ark, designed by Rintala Eggertsson Architects for the Victoria & Albert Museums Small Spaces Exhibit. While its not truly a functional apartment (theres the small matter of no bathroom or kitchen), the concept of using ones books as physical walls holds great appeal for me.
The description of Ark on the V&A site reads, The fa?ades of the tower consist of hundreds of shelves, holding thousands of books. Oriented to face inwards, the book spines gather together to form a rich collage of colours and typographic textures. In contrast, the exterior fa?ade of the structure is dominated by the minimalist white of exposed page edges
The project investigates how small spaces can focus our energies and thoughts in moments of study, meditation and self-reflection.
I could certainly use some focused energy for more than a few moments of study. (I really must work on that dissertation soon.)
Pasi Aalto took the photo shown above. Click through to the photography portfolio on pasiaalto.com for more information.
Megan Fitzpatrick
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